ICU/CCU patient gown

ABSTRACT

An ICU/CCU gown to be worn by a patient during hospitalization includes an upper garment and a lower garment. The upper garment includes a pair of front panels releasably connected to each other and to a neck panel leaving an open back. The lower garment includes a waist panel having a pair of leg panels and a central genital panel extending downwardly therefrom leaving an open back. The lower garment can be provided with a rear panel having a central examination panel. The upper and lower garments may be releasably attached to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/200,784, filed Jul. 23, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/307,286, filed Jul. 23, 2001, and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/318,353, filed Sep. 10, 2001, and which is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,188, issued Oct. 8, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/162,689, filed Nov. 11, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to garments worn by patients during physical examinations conducted by physicians, and in particular to such a gown to be worn by a patient in a physician's office, a large or small clinic, or a hospital.

When a physician conducts a physical examination of a patient, it is desirable to balance the physician's need for access to the patient's body and the patient's desire for modesty. In general, an examination can be best performed when a patient is comfortable with the procedure. To reduce embarrassment and maintain body temperature, various examination garments have been developed. These garments can be reusable or disposable, and can be formed from a variety of materials. Furthermore, various garments have been developed for covering and providing access to specific areas of a body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention includes a garment worn by a patient during a stay in or visit to a hospital, a visit to a large or small clinic, or a visit to a physician's office. The garment provides accessibility of various parts of the body while providing a satisfying amount of coverage for a patient. The garment includes an upper garment covering portions of the upper torso and a lower garment covering part of the lower torso including the pelvic region. The garment can be formed from any desired material as a disposable or reusable garment.

In a preferred embodiment, an examination garment to be worn by a patient during a physical examination includes an upper garment and a lower garment. The upper garment includes a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel having an opening for examination of a patient's spine, and fasteners for removably connecting various points on the front and rear panels. The lower garment includes a waistband, a first front panel overlapping at least a portion of a second front panel, a front central panel overlapped by the first and second front panels, a rear outer panel, a rear inner panel having an opening overlapped by the rear outer panel, and fasteners for removably connecting the front and rear panels.

In an alternate embodiment, a garment in accordance with the present invention may be worn by a bedridden patient in a critical care unit (CCU), an intensive care unit (ICU) or the like that balances the needs of the patient for warmth and coverage with the needs of the caregivers for access. The ICU/CCU garment includes an upper garment having left and right front panels joined by a neck panel and a lower garment having a pair of leg panels and a central genital panel. The upper and lower garments are joined at outer edges by fasteners at approximately waist level.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an upper garment according to this invention illustrating first and second front panels;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper garment of FIG. 1 worn by a patient illustrated in phantom lines wherein the first front panel has been folded upwardly for a breast examination;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the upper garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the upper garment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a lower garment according to this invention illustrating first and second overlapping front panels;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the lower garment of FIG. 5 wherein the front panels have been extended to form leggings;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a second embodiment of a lower garment according to this invention wherein the front panels have been extended to form leggings;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a patient wearing the upper garment of FIGS. 1-4 and the lower garment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the patient of FIG. 11 wearing the upper garment of FIGS. 1-4 and the lower garment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a lower garment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14A is a rear view of a first alternative embodiment of the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 14B is a rear view of a second alternative embodiment of the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is front view of the right leg member shown in FIG. 13 before and after mating of the fasteners;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fastener for use with the lower garment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary rear view of the lower garment shown in FIG. 14 utilizing the fastener shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of an upper garment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a lower garment in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A two piece patient garment according to this invention includes an upper garment indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 11 and a lower garment indicated generally at 100 in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

The upper garment 10 is fitted about the upper torso of a patient and extends generally to the lower hip and buttock level of a patient. The upper garment 10 is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical examination of a patient from the waist to the head with minimal manipulation of the garment 10 while providing a satisfying amount of coverage for the patient.

The upper garment 10 includes a first front panel 12 and a second front panel 14. Upper sections 16 and 18 of the panels 12 and 14, respectively, are received over a shoulder of a patient. A patient's neck is received between upper sections 16 and 18. Openings 20 and 22 are sized to permit examination of the shoulder and arm pit areas without removal of the upper garment 10.

The upper garment 10 also includes a rear panel 23 divided into a first rear panel 24 and a second rear panel 26. The rear panels 24 and 26 include upper sections 28 and 30, respectively that are joined with upper sections 16 and 18. In one preferred embodiment, upper section 28 is connected to upper section 18, and upper section 30 is connected to upper section 16. In other embodiments, the upper sections can be joined as desired.

The rear panels 24 and 26 include cutouts 32 and 34 that form an orthopedically designed slot 36 to expose a patient's spine. The slot 36 can be formed with any configuration allowing a deviation of approximately fifteen degrees (15°) to the right or to the left of the midline. An opening for examination of another desired area can be formed in lieu of or in addition to the slot 36. A slit 40 can be provided between lower portions of the panels 24 and 26 to permit one or both panels to be folded for examination.

Various fasteners are used to join the panels 12, 14, 24, and 26 together. Preferably, metal fasteners are used for cloth garments and crimps or tabs are used for paper garments. However, other types of fasteners can be used.

Fastener 42 joins an inner edge 44 of the first front panel 12 with an inner edge 46 of the second front panel 14 at a level close to the breastbone. Fastener 48 is provided to join an outer edge 50 of the first front panel 12 with an outer edge 52 of the first rear panel 24 beneath cutout 20. Fastener 54 is provided at a bottom edge 56 of the first front panel 12 to join outer edges 50 and 52.

Fastener 58 is provided to join an outer edge 60 of the second front panel 14 with an outer edge 62 of the second rear panel 26 beneath cutout 22. Fastener 64 is provided at a bottom edge 66 of the second front panel 14 to join outer edges 60 and 62. Fastener 69 can be provided at or near a lower end of the slot 36.

Front panels 12 and 14, rear panels 24 and 26, and openings 20 and 22 are sized so that they the panels meet at the lowest point of the armpits and are connected by fasteners 48 and 58. The fasteners 48 and 58 stabilize the upper garment 10 so that it will not slip or fall off a patient.

As shown in FIG. 4, a slit 68 is formed along a patient's side between the outer edges 50 and 52 when fasteners 48 and 58 at the top of edges 50 and 52 are mated. Slit 68 permits access for an examination without disturbing the remainder of the upper garment 10.

Properly selected fasteners on the upper garment 10 can be released to permit a panel to be folded for examination. For example, in FIG. 2 the first front panel 12 is shown folded upwardly to permit examination of a breast of a patient P. The remainder of the upper garment 10 does not have to be disturbed, thus providing a patient with coverage. The first front panel 12 can be draped over a patient's shoulder.

In another embodiment, the upper garment 10 can be formed from a single piece of material having a front panel, a rear panel, and cutouts for the neck and arms. A slot like slot 36 can be cut from the rear panel. The slot 36 can have a predetermined width extending equal distances from a midline. Also, a slit like slit 40 can be provided in the rear panel. A slit, like the slit 41, can be provided in the front panel.

Any number of fasteners can be used with the panels 12, 14, 24, and 26. More fasteners, less fasteners, and the number of fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 are within the scope of the present invention.

A lower garment for a patient is indicated generally at 100 in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. In a folded position, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the lower garment 100 is fitted about the waist level of a patient and extends to approximately knee level, resembling a skirt. In the extended position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, two anterior panels can be extended to the ankle area. The lower garment 100 is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical examination of a patient's abdomen, genitalia, anal and rectal areas, and lower extremities while providing a satisfying amount of patient coverage.

The lower garment 100 includes a waistband 102, preferably formed from an elastic material that supports the lower garment 100 at approximately waist level. A first front panel 104 and a second front panel 106 are attached to the waistband 102 and partially overlap one another. A central, inner front panel 108 is also attached to the waistband 102 and is overlapped by panels 104 and 106. The central panel 108 is sized to cover a patient's external genitalia. Each of panels 104 and 106 can be independently folded on the abdomen for an examination of one or both lower extremities without disturbing the central panel 108.

In FIG. 5, the panels 104 and 106 are illustrated in a stored or folded position so that coverage extends to approximately the level of the knees. In FIGS. 6 and 9, panels 104 and 106 can be folded down as shown to provide leggings 112 and 116, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the lower garment 100 also includes an outer rear panel 120 and an inner rear panel 122. Preferably, the panels 120 and 122 are attached to the waistband 102. The outer rear panel 120 overlaps the inner rear panel 122. The inner rear panel 122 includes an opening 124 sized to permit anal and rectal examinations. The outer rear panel 120 includes side edges 121 and 123.

As illustrated best in FIG. 6, fasteners 126, 128, 130, 132, 156 and 160 are provided on the first front panel 104. Fastener 126 is provided along an inner edge 134 at a central portion of its length. Fastener 128 is provided along an outer edge 136 at a central portion of its length. Fastener 130 is provided along the inner edge 134 at a bottom edge 138 of the panel 104. Fastener 132 is provided along the outer edge 136 at the bottom edge 138. Fastener 156 is provided approximately midway between fasteners 130 and 132. Fastener 160 is provided approximately midway between fasteners 126 and 128.

Fasteners 140, 142, 144, 146, 154, and 158 are provided on the second front panel 106. Fastener 140 is provided along an inner edge 148 at a central portion of its length. Fastener 142 is provided along an outer edge 150 at a central portion of its length. Fastener 144 is provided along the inner edge 148 at a bottom edge 152 of the panel 106. Fastener 146 is provided along the outer edge 150 at the bottom edge 152. Fastener 158 is provided approximately midway between fasteners 140 and 142. Fastener 154 is provided approximately midway between fasteners 144 and 146.

In the folded position (see FIG. 5), fastener 130 is mated with fastener 126, fastener 132 is mated with fastener 128, and fastener 156 is mated with fastener 160 to retain the legging 112. Fastener 144 is mated with fastener 140, fastener 146 is mated with fastener 142, and fastener 154 is mated with fastener 158 to retain the legging 116.

In the extended (unfolded) position (see FIGS. 6 and 9), fasteners 130 and 132 can be mated to wrap the legging 112 about a patient's leg. Fasteners 144 and 146 can be mated to wrap the legging 116 about a patient's leg.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the rear inner panel 122 can include fasteners 162 and 164 provided at its outer edges. Fastener 162 can be mated to fastener 128 on panel 104 and fastener 164 can be mated to fastener 142 on panel 106 to stabilize the rear inner panel 122, particularly when a patient is lying on a side for an examination.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a slit 170 is provided between outer edge 150 and side edge 121. The slit 170 permits access to the hip region without disturbing the remainder of the lower garment 100. A similar slit (not illustrated) is provided on the opposite side of the lower garment.

More, less, or the number of fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 can be provided on the lower garment 100.

A second embodiment of a lower garment for a patient is indicated generally at 200 in FIGS. 10 and 12. In a folded position, not shown, the lower garment 200 is fitted about the waist level of a patient and extends to approximately knee level, resembling a skirt. In the extended or unfolded position, as shown in FIG. 10, two anterior panels can be extended to the ankle area. The lower garment 200 is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical examination of a patient's abdomen, genitalia, anal and rectal areas, and lower extremities while provided a satisfying amount of patient coverage.

The lower garment 200 includes a waistband 202, preferably formed from an elastic material that supports the lower garment 200 at approximately waist level. A first front panel 204 and a second front panel 206 are attached to the waistband 202 and partially overlap one another. A central, inner front panel 208 is also attached to the waistband 202 and is overlapped by panels 204 and 206. The central panel 208 is sized to cover a patient's external genitalia. Each of panels 204 and 206 can be independently folded on the abdomen for an examination of one or both lower extremities without disturbing the central panel 208.

The panels 204 and 206 can be arranged in a stored or folded position so that coverage extends to approximately the level of the knees, similar to the arrangement in FIG. 5. In FIG. 10, panels 204 and 206 can be folded down as shown to provide leggings 212 and 216, respectively, similar to the arrangement in FIG. 6. Preferably, the leggings 212 and 216 (approximately the lower halves of panels 204 and 206) are narrowed from the approximately upper halves or portions of panels 204 and 206, respectively. For example, the width of the leggings 212 and 216 can be reduced to approximately twelve inches at the approximate ankle level, significantly less than the upper portions of the panels 204 and 206.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, fasteners 228, 232, 256 and 260 are provided on the first front panel 204. Fastener 228 is provided along an outer edge 236 at a central portion of its length. Fastener 232 is provided along the outer edge 236 at a bottom edge 238. Fastener 256 is provided along an inner edge 235 at the bottom edge 238. Fastener 260 is provided approximately midway the width of the upper portion of panel 204 and approximately aligned with fastener 228.

Fasteners 242, 246, 254, and 258 are provided on the second front panel 206. Fastener 242 is provided along an outer edge 250 at a central portion of its length. Fastener 246 is provided along the outer edge 250 at a bottom edge 252. Fastener 254 is provided along an inner edge 237 at the bottom edge 252. Fastener 258 is provided approximately midway the width of the upper portion of panel 206 and approximately aligned with fastener 242.

In the folded position (not shown), fastener 232 is mated with fastener 228, and fastener 256 is mated with fastener 260 to retain the legging 212. Fastener 246 is mated with fastener 242, and fastener 254 is mated with fastener 258 to retain the legging 216.

In the extended (unfolded) position (FIG. 10), fasteners 256 and 232 can be mated to wrap the legging 212 about a patient's leg. Fasteners 254 and 246 can be mated to wrap the legging 216 about a patient's leg.

Another embodiment of a lower garment for a patient is indicated generally at 300 in FIGS. 13 and 14. The lower garment 300 is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical examination of a patient's genitalia, anal and rectal areas, and lower extremities while provided a satisfying amount of patient coverage.

The lower garment 300 is preferably formed from a single layer of material and includes a front panel 302 attached to a rear panel 304 at a top seam 303. A first leg member 306 and a second leg member 308 extend downwardly from a bottom seam or edge 307 of the front panel 302. A front central panel 310 is formed from a plurality of perforations 312 in the front panel and the bottom seam 307. The front central panel 310 is sized to cover a patient's external genitalia. The front central panel 310 is adapted to be torn along the perforations 312 in order to be folded, or reflected, upwardly on a patient's abdomen (not shown) at the time of the patient's examination. A fastener 313 and a fastener 314 are provided along a bottom edge 320 of the first leg member 306. A fastener 316 and a fastener 318 are provided along a bottom edge 322 of the second leg member 308. The leg fasteners 313, 314, 316, and 318 are male and female pairs to mate and permit the leg members 306 and 308 to encircle the calf to form a short legging during the examination as shown in FIG. 15. A knee level point 323 is shown on the first leg member 306 and the second leg member 308. The bottom edge 320 and the bottom edge 322 preferably extend below the knee levels 323.

The rear panel 304 has a top seam 305. The top seam 305 and the top seam 303 of the front panel 302 can be attached to a waistband such as the waistband 202 shown in FIG. 10. A rear central panel 330 is formed from a plurality of perforations 331 in the rear panel 304. The rear central panel 330 is sized to permit an examination of a patient's anal and rectal areas. A panel fastener 332 is attached at a top portion of the rear central panel 330 and a panel fastener 334 is attached at a bottom portion of the rear central panel 330. Typically, prior to use, the rear central panel 330 is substantially separated from the rear panel 304 along the perforations with only a top end remaining attached. In a closed position, prior to a patient's examination, the fastener 334 is attached to a fastener (not shown) on the rear panel 304 adjacent the bottom portion of the rear central panel 330 to fully extend the rear central panel 330 and provide a satisfying amount of patient coverage. In an open position, during a patient's examination, the fastener 334 is attached to the fastener 332 folding the rear central panel 330 upwardly. After the examination, the fastener 334 is detached from the fastener 332 and reattached to the fastener at the bottom portion of the rear central panel. A plurality of perforations 336 in the rear panel 304 extend from the lower end of the rear central panel 330 to a bottom edge 338 to permit separation and allow easier manipulation of examination instruments (not shown) during the patient's examination. The bottom edge 338 of the rear panel 304 is preferably at or slightly below a knee level of the patient (not shown).

As an alternative, in a closed position, prior to a patient's examination, the fastener 332 is attached to a fastener (not shown) at the top portion of the rear central panel 330 to fully extend the rear central panel 330 and provide a satisfying amount of patient coverage. In an open position, during a patient's examination, the fastener 332 is attached to the fastener 334, allowing the rear central panel 330 to reflect upwardly. After the examination, the fastener 332 is detached from the fastener 334 and reattached to the fastener at the top portion of the rear central panel.

There is shown in FIG. 14A an alternative rear panel 304 a having a top seam 305 a and that also can be used as or with the front panel 302 to provide a reusable (e.g. cloth material) garment 300 a. A rear central panel 330 a, generally in the shape of an inverted triangle, is integral with the panel 304 a on a top side and is releasably attached to the panel 304 a on the other two sides by a pair of zippers 356. The rear central panel 330 a is sized to permit an examination of a patient's anal and rectal areas. A panel snap fastener 332 a is attached at a top portion of the panel 304 a and a panel snap fastener 334 a is attached at a point of the rear central panel 330 a, the fasteners cooperating as previously described with respect to FIG. 14. The zippers 356 terminate at an upper end of a slit 336 a that extends to a bottom edge 338 a to permit separation and allow easier manipulation of examination instruments (not shown) during the patient's examination. The bottom edge 338 a of the rear panel 304 a can be provided with cooperating fasteners 358 to form leggings as described with respect to FIG. 15.

There is shown in FIG. 14B another alternative rear panel 304 b having a top seam 305 b and that also can be used as or with the front panel 302 to provide a disposable (e.g. paper material) garment 300 b. A rear central panel 330 b, generally in the shape of an inverted triangle, is integral with the panel 304 b on a top side and is releasably attached to the panel 304 a on the other two sides at a pair of perforated separation lines 360. The rear central panel 330 a is sized to permit an examination of a patient's anal and rectal areas. The separation lines 360 terminate at an upper end of a slit 336 b (also could be a perforated separation line) that extends to a bottom edge 338 b to permit separation and allow easier manipulation of examination instruments (not shown) during the patient's examination. The bottom edge 338 a of the rear panel 304 a can be provided with cooperating tab fasteners 362 to form leggings as described with respect to FIG. 15. Another tab fastener 364 can be provided just below the point of the panel 330 b to releasably close the slit 336 b.

There is shown in FIG. 16 a fastener 340 for use with the patient examination garment according to the present invention. The fastener 340 includes a tab 342 that is attached an outwardly facing surface of a movable portion of a garment, such as the rear central panel 330 of the rear panel 304. The tab 340 is positioned such that a free end overlaps the fixed portion of the garment. The fastener 340 also includes a holder 344 that is attached to an outer surface of the rear panel 304 adjacent the free end of the tab 342. The holder 344 has a generally planar body 346 that is attached to the garment. The body 346 has an outwardly facing surface covered by a layer of adhesive material 348. A cover sheet 350 is releasably attached to the base member 346 to prevent contact between the tab 342 and the adhesive material layer 348. After the movable portion of the garment has been used, the cover sheet 350 can be removed and the tab 342 attached to the holder 346 by the adhesive material 348.

There is shown in FIG. 17 a portion of the rear panel 304 including the rear central panel 330. A first fastener 352, like the fastener 350 shown in FIG. 16, has the tab 342 attached to the outer surface of the rear central panel 330 at a top end thereof. The holder 344 of the first fastener 352 is attached to the outer surface of the rear panel 304 adjacent the tab 342. Thus, the rear central panel 330 can be partially detached at the perforations along the top and sides and reflected downwardly for examination purposes. After such use, the cover sheet can be removed from the holder 344, the rear central panel 330 moved back into the covering position shown, and the tab 342 attached to the holder 346 by the adhesive material. A second fastener 354, like the fastener 350 shown in FIG. 16, has the tab 342 attached to the outer surface of the rear central panel 330 at a side thereof. The holder 344 of the second fastener 354 is attached to the outer surface of the rear panel 304 adjacent the tab 342. Thus, the rear central panel 330 can be partially detached at the perforations along the top, bottom, the right side and part of the left side and reflected toward the left for examination purposes. After such use, the cover sheet can be removed from the holder 344, the rear central panel 330 moved back into the covering position shown, and the tab 342 attached to the holder 346 by the adhesive material.

Referring now to FIG. 18, an ICU/CCU upper garment for a patient is indicated generally at 400. The upper ICU/CCU garment 400 is advantageously designed to be worn by or placed upon an upper body portion of a patient when the patient is hospitalized in a coronary care unit (CCU) or an intensive care unit (ICU) or the like. The upper ICU/CCU garment 400 includes a generally trapezoid-shaped right front panel 402, a generally trapezoid-shaped left front panel 404, and an elongated neck panel 406. Preferably, the neck panel 406 is releasably attached to the front panel 402 at an upper edge thereof by a plurality of fasteners 408 and is fixedly attached to the right front panel 404. However, the neck panel 406 could releasably attached to the front panel 404 at an upper edge thereof by a plurality of the fasteners 408 and fixedly attached to the front panel 402, or releasably attached to both front panels. The panels 402 and 404 are releasably attached at adjacent central edge portions thereof by a pair of cooperating fasteners 410. When attached, the panels 402, 404, and 406 define an opening 412 for receiving the head and neck of a patient. When donned by or placed on the patient, the panels 402 and 404 of the ICU/CCU upper garment 400 provide a satisfying amount of coverage of the front of the torso of the patient while also allowing doctors and nurses access via the open rear and the releasably attached front to provide treatment and care to the patient.

A pouch panel 414 is attached to a lower portion of the front surface of the panel 402 below a hip level point 415 of the patient. The pouch panel 414 is preferably generally rectangular-shaped and is preferably attached to the panel 402 at two side edges and a bottom edge thereof to define an opening 416 at a top edge. The opening 416 and the pouch 412 are preferably sized to receive and/or contain a telemetry pack and leads (not shown) for the patient. Alternatively, the pouch panel 414 may be attached to the front panel 404, or one on each of the front panels. A slit 417 can be formed in the panel 402 behind the pouch panel 414 to permit the telemetry leads to pass to the patient. A fastener 418, discussed in more detail below, is attached at a lower edge of each of the right front panel 402 and the left front panel 404.

Referring now to FIG. 19, an ICU/CCU lower garment for a patient is indicated generally at 500. The ICU/CCU lower garment 500 is designed to be placed on a lower body portion of a patient when the patient is hospitalized in a CCU, an ICU or the like. The ICU/CCU lower garment 500 includes a waist panel 502 adapted to extend horizontally at waist level across the front of a patient. The waist panel 502 has a right leg panel 504 and a left leg panel 506 attached at a bottom portion thereof and extending downwardly therefrom. A lower edge portion of each of the leg panels 504 and 506 preferably extends to a calf level point 507 of the patient. A genital or central panel 508 is attached to the waist panel 502 at an upper edge thereof intermediate the leg panels 504 and 506. The remainder of the central panel 508 is free to move with respect to the waist panel 502 and the leg panels 504 and 506. The panels 504, 506, and 508 are arranged so as to overlap at an intersection point 510 in order to provide a modest coverage for the patient. A fastener 512 is attached at an upper portion of each of the right leg panel 504 and the left leg panel 506 to cooperate with the fasteners 418. A fastener 514 is attached at each lower corner of each of the right leg panel 504 and the left leg panel 506 to cooperate in a manner similar to the fasteners 313 and 314 shown in FIG. 15 to form leggings.

When placed on the patient lying in a bed on his/her back, the panels 504, 506, and 508 of the ICU/CCU lower garment 500 provide a satisfying amount of coverage for the front of the lower body of the patient while also allowing doctors and nurses access to provide treatment and care to the patient. If desirable, a rear waist band 503 can be attached to the ends of the waist panel 502 to encircle the body of the patient and prevent the lower garment from slipping our of position.

The upper garment 400 and the lower garment 500 are preferably worn together, wherein a lower edge of the upper garment 400 overlaps an upper edge of the lower garment 500. When worn together, the garments 400 and 500 are releasably fastened or attached together by the cooperating pair of fasteners 418 and 512. The fastener 418 may be a male fastener and the fastener 512 may be a female fastener or vice versa. The fasteners 408, 410, 418, and 512 may be, but are not limited to, buttons, snaps, cooperating Velcro® strips or the like. Alternatively, the pouch panel 414 is attached to an upper portion of the front surface of one of the leg panels 504 and 506.

The upper garments 10 and 400 and the lower garments 100, 200, 300 and 500 can be formed from any desired materials, including a disposable material, a biodegradable material, or cloth. A patient can wear only one of the upper garments 10 and 400, or one of the lower garments 100, 200, 300 or 500, or both, depending upon the extent of the examination or the type of patient care required or the like. The locations and number of fasteners shown in the figures and described above are illustrative only and are not limiting.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. 

1. An ICU/CCU gown to be worn by a patient during hospitalization, comprising: an upper garment including a pair of front panels each adapted to cover a portion of an upper front torso of a patient, each of said front panels having an upper edge, a lower edge and a central edge, and a neck panel attached at opposite ends to respective ones of said upper edges of said front panels, said neck panel and said front panels defining an opening for receiving a head and neck of a patient; and a lower garment including a waist panel adapted to extend across a lower body portion of a patient, a pair of leg panels attached to and extending downwardly from said waist panel, and a central genital panel attached to and extending downwardly from said waist panel intermediate said leg panels, said leg panels and said genital panel overlapping at an intersection point, wherein said upper garment and said lower garment are releasably attached together by cooperating fasteners for covering a front of a body of a patient.
 2. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein said neck panel is releasably attached to said front panels.
 3. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 2 including fasteners releasably attaching said neck panel to said front panels.
 4. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein said neck panel is releasably attached to one of said front panels and fixedly attached to another of said front panels.
 5. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 including a pouch panel attached to a one of said front panels and being sized to receive a telemetry pack and a plurality of telemetry leads therein.
 6. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein said lower edges of said front panels extend below a hip level point of the patient.
 7. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein lower edges of said leg panels extend to a calf level point of the patient.
 8. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 including an optional rear waist band attached to said waist panel for encircling a body of the patient.
 9. An ICU/CCU upper garment to be worn by a patient during hospitalization, the garment comprising: a pair of front panels each having a lower edge, a central edge portion and an upper edge, said central edge portions being releasably attached together, said front panels being sized to cover a front of an upper torso of the patient; and a neck panel having opposite ends attached to respective ones of said upper edges of said front panels, said neck panel and said front panels defining an opening for receiving a head of the patient.
 10. The upper garment according to claim 9 including a pouch panel attached to a front surface of at least one of said front panels and said neck panel, said pouch panel being sized to receive a telemetry pack and a plurality of telemetry leads therein.
 11. The upper garment according to claim 9 including a pouch panel attached to a front surface of one of said front panels, said pouch panel being sized to receive a telemetry pack and a plurality of telemetry leads therein, said one front panel having a slit formed therein sized to receive the telemetry leads.
 12. The upper garment according to claim 9 including a fastener releasably attaching said front panels together.
 13. The upper garment according to claim 9 wherein each of said front panels includes a fastener attached at said lower edge thereof for attachment to a lower garment.
 14. The upper garment according to claim 9 wherein said lower edges of said front panels extend below a hip level point of the patient when the upper garment is worn by the patient.
 15. An ICU/CCU lower garment to be worn by a patient during hospitalization, comprising: a waist panel adapted to be placed on a lower body portion of the patient; a pair of leg panels attached to and extending downwardly from said waist panel; and a central genital panel attached to and extending downwardly from said waist panel intermediate said leg panels, said leg panels and said genital panel overlapping at an intersection point.
 16. The lower garment according to claim 15 wherein a lower edge portion of each of said leg panels extends to a calf level point of the patient.
 17. The lower garment according to claim 15 wherein an upper portion of each of said leg panels includes a fastener at for attaching to an upper garment.
 18. The lower garment according to claim 15 including an optional rear waist band attached to said waist panel for encircling the body of the patient.
 19. An ICU/CCU lower garment to be worn by a patient during hospitalization, comprising: a front panel and a rear panel adapted to be placed on a lower body portion of the patient and each having a lower edge; at least one of said front and rear panels including a generally inverted triangle shaped central panel having a top side integral with said at least one panel and a pair of free sides to permit examination of the patient wearing the lower garment; said at least one panel having a slit formed therein extending from a point of said central panel to said lower edge; and a plurality of fasteners attached to said at least one panel for releasably cooperating to form a pair of leggings extending from said point to said lower edge.
 20. The lower garment according to claim 19 including a pair of zippers releasably attaching said free sides to adjacent portions of said at least one panel.
 21. The lower garment according to claim 19 wherein said free sides are releasably attached to adjacent portions of said at least one panel along perforated separation lines.
 22. The lower garment according to claim 19 wherein said at least one panel and said central panel are formed of a paper material, said fasteners are tab fasteners and including another tab fastener for releasably closing said slit. 